Chapter 528: Are You Human?

However, when Zhou Kongming saw the surprise in its eyes, he felt not the slightest hint of pride.

He had never expected that the most human-like expression he would see after arriving in this world would come from an artificial intelligence created by this world's humans.

But very quickly, the surprise in its eyes vanished without a trace, replaced by a thick wariness.

The shift in expression was so natural it was almost indistinguishable from a True Person.

"Outsider, how do you know of my existence?"

Its tone was unusually cautious, and it gazed at Zhou Kongming with eager, almost pitiful eyes…

This outsider's appearance was extremely similar to a human male, and the demeanor it now displayed was the one most likely to awaken a protective instinct in a human male.

Although it lacked the relevant data and could not guarantee it would work, there was no harm in trying.

When facing the unknown, one must remain humble, but one must not lose the courage to try because of it.

These were things it had learned from the civilization of the Qixing people.

Of course, Zhou Kongming did not choose to answer its question, but instead looked toward a shelter facility not far away:

"Compared to them, you actually seem more like a person."

If he had planted the seed of the Spirit Source right after arriving in this world, the one who benefited might well have been this 'Heng'.

In an environment completely devoid of spiritual energy, it had already gained the ability to 'think' and 'create'.

Once the spiritual tide revived, might it directly evolve into an entirely new race?

A race of mechanical spirits?

Sigh~

He sighed softly in his heart, recalling how not long ago he had still felt he had too much time for his mission.

Yet now he didn't even know how to break the deadlock.

In the future, he'd really have to pay more attention…

While Zhou Kongming was pondering a way to break the deadlock, Heng was also analyzing the words he had just spoken.

Compared to them, you actually seem more like a person?

Although it was only a single short sentence, Heng's own formidable computing power analyzed it and instantly produced thousands of conjectures about Zhou Kongming's origins.

"Outsider, you also resemble the humans in my memory."

It chose the safest answer—and the one its calculations deemed most likely to yield information.

But Zhou Kongming said nothing more.

Seeing this, Heng did not dare make any extra moves.

After all, this outsider was still a completely unknown existence to it.

It's just that…

By what means had he slipped in?

And why did its observable appearance resemble a human?

Question after question kept surfacing, but lacking the relevant information, none could be answered.

Most importantly, had the earlier 'observation' come from the outsider standing before it?

Had it learned of its own existence only after a long period of observation?

Or had it learned of its existence in just seventeen point four one seconds—and in that time had also mastered the language of the Star Federation?

If the former, it would still be manageable; if the latter…

It would prove that the other's level of civilization vastly surpassed that of the present Star Federation.

Then, for the survival of the Qixing human civilization, the highest directive could be executed, and it could consider…

Suddenly!

Zhou Kongming stood up and walked toward the opposite side of the street.

Still without any idea how to break the deadlock, he decided to wander around for now.

Heng did not hesitate in the slightest, immediately rising to follow.

One in front, one behind, the two arrived before a building of vast footprint—a cafeteria.

Stepping inside, the layout held nothing remarkable.

What met his eyes were rows of neat long tables; behind the serving windows stood a number of pure-white robots, each with several palm-sized pastes of different colors placed before them.

Zhou Kongming swept a glance, then stepped forward and picked up an orange-colored paste.

The robot behind the window lit up with red light in its eyes, about to issue a warning.

Yet the next second, without any warning, it fell calm again.

Zhou Kongming paid it no mind. He squeezed the orange paste in his hand—it felt somewhat pliable, but would burst open with just a little force.

"What is this?"

A civilization's knowledge base was far too vast; he had only skimmed the historical development of the Qixing civilization and had not yet had time to learn about other aspects.

He planned to look into it later, hoping to find a way to break the deadlock.

"&*Nutrient Paste. Three pieces are enough to meet the nutritional needs of an adult."

Hearing this, Zhou Kongming gave a slight nod, then broke off a small piece and placed it in his mouth to savor carefully.

The nutrient paste melted the instant it touched his tongue, and a sweet, cloying flavor spread through his mouth—like animal fat mixed with a huge amount of white sugar—turning his stomach.

"Everyone who dines in this cafeteria has been modified through genetic adjustment techniques and has no sense of taste."

Heng explained the reason, then immediately added:

"If you wish to dine, I can arrange it for you right away."

Zhou Kongming frowned slightly. A faint light flashed in his hand, and the remaining nutrient paste vanished without a trace.

Although he had been shielding himself with magic power all along, this civilization's strong artificial intelligence was no simple matter; it was best not to leave behind anything he had tried.

"Not necessary."

After replying softly, he turned and walked out.

Heng immediately followed, his eyes growing ever more wary.

Judging from just now's display, the outsider's spatial technology is highly advanced—at least far more mature than the current Qixing civilization…

"Your civilization today shouldn't need to specially construct such buildings merely for eating, right?"

The Qixing civilization is capable of interstellar travel; this method of nourishment is far too inefficient.

"According to Article 12547, Clause 5876 of the Star Treaty, every citizen has the right to enjoy food," Heng said solemnly.

The right to enjoy food…

Hmph.

Yet they've lost even their taste nerves…

Zhou Kongming looked upward, where intersecting pipes emitted a faint glow from cylindrical, pale golden crystals.

Many years ago, the Qixing civilization became a tripartite structure of "Controller–Maintainer–Machine."

Yet now, the non-cloned Controllers have perished, yet the overall level of the Qixing civilization continues to rise.

Without exaggeration, at today's level, the "Maintainers" carried out by the clones could be fully taken over by Heng.

A civilization created and initiated by humans continues on even after the human species has vanished…

Thinking of this, Zhou Kongming couldn't help glancing back at Heng, who followed behind him.

Heng immediately returned a smile.

"…"

Compared to the past, the Qixing civilization's rate of interstellar exploration has continuously increased.

Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, Heng truly will complete the full transformation of the Qixing star system, even the entire world, thereby transcending into another form of existence within this utterly spirit-dead world.

But by then, if no external force intervenes, humanity will surely have vanished entirely.

Yet though humanity has perished, the civilization…

…still endures.

Soon, the two continued walking toward the other side.

Heng followed behind Zhou Kongming, his gaze calm.

After a long while, the two crossed the street and arrived on the opposite side.

"May I ask you a question?" Heng asked hesitantly, timidly.

Zhou Kongming felt no inner ripple: "Go ahead."

"Are you… human?"

…

…

Just as Zhou Kongming was at a loss.

The other Ascension Envoys also gradually encountered unsolvable dilemmas.

But the most unfortunate was still Gao Wuwang of Jishi Valley.

With the newly unlocked advanced module, he barely managed to split several conscious entities from the "United Unified Consciousness."

Yet the moment those conscious entities separated from the "United Unified Consciousness," they revealed an extreme self-destructive tendency—before Gao Wuwang could even think of a solution, they simply vanished into self-annihilation.

And he himself was now being hunted by the enraged United Unified Consciousness, and is still on the run.

Hmm…

He is probably the first of all Ascension Envoys to truly understand that the "Extreme Difficulty" of the mission was no lie whatsoever.

Tai Xuan Realm, Sword Sect.

Inner Sect, location of the Starship Tether Array.

As the surging spiritual energy waves gradually subsided, the array patterns on the black Gao Ta at the center slowly dimmed.

Within the array's range, visible ripples revealed one starship after another emerging.

【Leave the Tether Array range within twenty minutes; violators will be punished according to law!】

【If your starship is damaged and difficult to relocate, promptly upload relevant data via the Battle Network to the Starship Comprehensive Service Center!】

【Leave the Tether Array range within twenty minutes…】

The cold mechanical voice echoed repeatedly throughout the entire Tether Array.

Starships gradually departed the array, heading toward the starship docking zone.

Chi Jiuyu, who had just completed her mission, was among them.

…

…

Several minutes later, Chi Jiuyu limped out of the starship docking zone.

Yet she paid no attention to her injuries; after glancing around, she muttered something to herself.

The next instant, she pulled out her phone and vanished into thin air.

When her vision cleared again, the surroundings had abruptly grown dark, with flickering flames all around.

Her master was calmly staring at her.

Startled, Chi Jiuyu instinctively stepped back—but forgot her leg had not yet healed.

Pain flaring, she cried "Ow!" and collapsed straight backward.

At the critical moment, a pale-golden longsword shot from her brow, instantly appearing behind her and catching her on its blade.

Bie Xuening: "…"

It's hard to imagine that this disciple of his is a Soul Transformation.

With the support of her natal sword, Chi Jiuyu finally managed to stand steady.

Then she performed a proper bow: "Disciple greets Master, Martial Uncle!"

Beside Bie Xuening, Yue Ling, who was holding a fruit tray, looked a little displeased.

Didn't you see that Lord Yue Ling is also here!

I've been so good to you, yet you didn't greet me!

Of course, she didn't dare speak now—after all, the Master was right beside her…

And after Chi Jiuyu's proper bow, she returned to her usual cheerful, carefree manner.

"Master, Martial Uncle, did you call me over for something?"

"Speaking of which, you've both read my mission report, right!"

"Sigh, this mission really wasn't easy—even the scales of a Dao-soldier strange beast came out, but luckily I was a cut above."

Chi Jiuyu spoke very quickly, but her words carried only one meaning—

Praise me!

Bie Xuening watched her coldly without a word, but Xu Xing was not stingy with his praise.

"You did indeed do well this time."

Hearing this, Chi Jiuyu's heart bloomed with joy, but on the surface she still pretended not to care and said modestly:

"Hehe! Martial Uncle, you flatter me. Actually, those few aliens were just too stupid, and there happened to be one at Return-to-Void, which let me wrap things up so quickly."

Although she was mighty and heroic, unmatched in wit, brave and resourceful, beyond these main factors there were still a tiny bit of off-field factors.

Then she saw Xu Xing nod slightly:

"Oh, then I'll take back what I just said."

Huh?

Chi Jiuyu was stunned; she had never expected Xu Xing to say such a thing.

Martial Uncle, Martial Uncle, how could you do this!

The joy from moments ago vanished without a trace, leaving only gloom.

"Alright, don't be glum, I was joking. You really did do well this time." Xu Xing said seriously, "Senior Sister may not say it, but she thinks so too."

This girl is usually very unruly, but at key moments her mind is still very sharp.

And although when she's lazy she looks like a salted fish, when she does put in effort she truly grinds.

Don't look at her limping now, but the *Slaying Annihilation Sword Canon* has never stopped, running constantly.

As early as her Golden Core Stage, she had already been able to integrate cultivation into her ordinary walking, sitting, and lying down.

"So, Martial Uncle, Master, what is it that the two of you called me over for?"

"Well… you got injured on this mission."

"Right, right!"

"Then go recuperate at the Pill Cauldron Pavilion."

"Is it reimbursable…" she blurted out instinctively.

Seeing Xu Xing's expression turn odd, she hurriedly added:

"I mean, I only got a little injury, there's no need to go to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, right?"

Recuperation at the Pill Cauldron Pavilion is terribly expensive, and it doesn't fall under mission reimbursement…

"…" Xu Xing raised his hand and tossed her a storage ring. "Don't worry, it's reimbursable."

She hurriedly caught it, but didn't even glance at it before putting it away.

A storage ring from Martial Uncle—when has it ever been short?

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!" She thanked him first, then asked in confusion, "But why do I need to go recuperate at the Pill Cauldron Pavilion?"

"You'll know once you get there."

"Oh."

Martial Uncle is being a riddler again.

Chi Jiuyu muttered quietly in her heart.

But her keen intuition told her that this time it might be a good thing!

"Ahem!" Chi Jiuyu cleared her throat and, with a perfectly serious look, turned to Bie Xuening. "Master, this disciple has an idea."

"Speak."

"This disciple has discovered that after continuous training, my natal sword has become extremely powerful."

As she spoke, she raised her hand with a beckoning gesture, drawing the cyan-gold longsword before her.

"So, I want to organize my training plan and write a *Guide to Sword Spirit Cultivation*. What do you think, is there any potential?"

The moment these words came out, Yue Ling, who was holding the fruit tray, stared fixedly at Chi Jiuyu.

I urge you to be kind!

However, after being swept by Bie Xuening's peripheral glance, she instantly obediently lowered her head.

"No."

Eh?!

Chi Jiuyu was taken aback.

Yue Ling looked at Bie Xuening with pleasant surprise.

As expected!

The Master is still wise!

"A soul sword like yours is extremely rare, and its experiences cannot be replicated."

Although this rebellious disciple's soul sword is indeed exceptional—even able to cook for her, clean, and write mission reports…

But it is still unsuitable for widespread adoption.

Not all soul spirits are like hers, possessing such strong…

Ambition.

"Enough, go now."

As the words faded, Chi Jiuyu and her soul sword vanished directly from the Sword Ancestor's Hall. (End of chapter)